Positive response to Sark’s energy proposals
SARK’S conseillers will next week decide whether to push ahead with renewable energy options for the island, after the islanders positively received the scheme.
About 90 people – around a sixth of the population – turned out for a meeting earlier this week, where Policy & Finance chairman John Guille, Sark’s electricity price commissioner Shane Lynch and Jake Burnyeat, the managing director of Communities for Renewables, put the case for an £8.6m. investment into a new grid, two 30m wind turbines and a solar farm.
‘The meeting went very well and the presentations were well received,’ said Mr Guille.
‘I think everyone recognises we have to do something to address safety and reliability concerns. We hope now to progress to the next stage.
‘I think overall renewable energy fits with what Sark is about, it fits “brand Sark”. The biggest take-home is that regardless of the environment, it makes economic sense to make the switch from diesel to renewables.’
Conseillers will vote on whether to approve a further £175,000 for the design phase of the project at Chief Pleas Christmas meeting on Wednesday, having already spent £50,000 on the plans.
Mr Guille said if this was agreed, the design phase would take six months, and then with a ‘fair wind’ it would be two years before electricity was ready to be supplied from the new system.
‘We are confident we can raise the funds involved,’ he said, ‘But it is a chicken-and- egg situation, we need firm costings first.’
Sark resident Peter Cunneen said the meeting had been constructive and co-operative.
‘Interestingly there were no discontent or issues raised about having wind turbines or the impact this could have on tourism,’ he said.
‘The consensus in the room seemed that renewables were the way forward and there was only room for one electricity generator on the island.’
One man who was not present was Alan Witney-Price, the managing director of the island’s current electricity provider, Sark Electricity Ltd.
Mr Witney-Price has been critical of Sark government’s plans and said this week he was currently taking legal advice concerning the possible installation of a rival electricity grid.
He added that he had sent Chief Pleas a 47-point plan regarding the grid, safety, solar and tidal power, but it had not replied.
‘It is a red herring to say Sark Electricity Ltd is waiting on us for permissions to improve the station, safety and infrastructure, said Mr Guille. ‘There is a clear route through the price commissioner for him to propose capital infrastructure spending.
'We have been waiting for his reply and actions on the current safety concerns.’
